Near-Zero-Emission Making Gains in Diesel Truck Fleet

Beginning in 2007, all heavy duty diesel trucks sold had to meet particulate emissions levels of no more than 0.01 grams per brake horse-power hour (g/HP-hr)—a level near zero.

“Because more than 95% of all heavy duty trucks are diesel-powered it is significant that more than one-third of these trucks are near zero emission vehicles,” said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

“Diesel trucks are literally the driving force behind goods movement in the U.S. and worldwide economies so the fact that the clean diesel fleet is increasing is good news for improved fuel efficiency and the environment. These new trucks are so clean that it now takes more than 60 of today’s clean diesel trucks to equal the emissions from a single 1988 truck.

More than 2.9 million of the 8.8 million medium and heavy duty commercial trucks registered in the United States are now equipped with newer technology clean diesel engines, according to new data compiled by HIS Automotive for theDiesel Technology Forum.